The esophagus is a long, narrow tube that transports food and liquids from your mouth to your stomach.
In the form of vomit, the esophagus also transports them from your stomach to your mouth.
Vomiting can have a variety of causes, some of which are even intentional.
What you ate or drank may be forced back up through the esophagus when you vomit.
The natural acids and enzymes that your stomach naturally produces to aid in food digestion can join them.
To learn more, read on.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
✅ After brief vomiting episodes, natural therapies can provide temporary relief for a sore throat.
✅ Learn the causes of vomiting pain in the throat, what it can indicate, and what you can do to prevent it.
✅ If natural and over-the-counter remedies don’t relieve your sore throat, consult your doctor.
✅ A sore throat is typically more of an inconvenience or pain than a medical problem.
Causes of throat discomfort after vomiting
The esophagus is both robust and sensitive. The esophagus is composed of layers of smooth muscle and an inner layer that is covered with mucous membranes, according to specialists at the National Cancer Institute. Although this layer is easily damaged, it is strong enough to aid in the passage of harder meals from your mouth to your stomach.
The throat may suffer physical or chemical harm while you vomit, which will hurt. Some of the typical causes of this pain are listed below.
Stomach fluids
The strong stomach acids aid in the breakdown of food in the stomach for digestion. These acids can result in a wide range of issues if they are used improperly. Even bones and teeth can be harmed by them.
Stomach acids can bubble up into your throat when your stomach produces too much acid or when the valves that separate the stomach and esophagus are damaged. The tissue that lines your esophagus may get corroded or harmed by these acids.
You might have some throat soreness following your first vomiting episode as a result of the combination of the vomiting’s power and the stomach acids it contains. A review of the literature from 2021 examined these consequences. Vomiting fits that happen frequently can make this harm worse. These episodes could result from bulimia or be a side effect of chemotherapy, for example.
The mechanisms that keep the various sections of your digestive tract distinct from one another don’t function properly if you frequently experience heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This could result in acid backing up into places it shouldn’t, like your throat. Reflux, or the seeping into the throat, can have uncomfortable and long-lasting repercussions.
Inflammation
The disorders of esophagitis and gastritis can cause inflammation in the throat or stomach. There are several causes of throat inflammation in esophagitis, including drug or alcohol use, allergy, reflux, and infection. Although nausea and vomiting from gastroenteritis can harm the esophagus, they do not immediately cause throat pain.
Alcohol and throat health
After a night of drinking, you can experience a sore throat from vomiting. However, regular heavy drinking might also lead to additional throat issues. You might not experience any symptoms of these throat issues.
Alcohol consumption can result in liver conditions like cirrhosis. Non-alcoholic liver diseases can potentially lead to cirrhosis. Blood vessel pressure rises when cirrhosis causes the liver’s bile to move through it more slowly, whether because of alcohol-related damage or other factors.
Your esophagus’ blood vessels are included in this. These vessels may burst and cause bleeding as they enlarge under the added pressure. Esophageal varices are the name for these veins.
Although there are numerous factors that might lead to esophageal varices, frequent vomiting and binge drinking are frequently linked to them. Vomiting blood is one of the late-onset symptoms. If there is blood in your vomit, seek emergency medical attention or contact a healthcare provider.
If you have an increased chance of developing esophageal varices, talk to your doctor about prophylactic measures.
Barrett’s Esophagus
Strong stomach acids can permanently alter the cells that make up your esophagus when they are repeatedly exposed to the sensitive tissues of your throat.
Strong stomach acids are accustomed to being exposed to the cells that coat the intestines. However, the cells that make up your throat’s lining are not. The tissues that line your throat start to alter with time and repeated contact with stomach acids. After a while, these cells start to resemble the intestines rather than the throat as a whole.
You might get some degree of Barrett’s esophagus if these cells alter. When these cells alter, this is the state that results. The severity of Barrett’s esophagus varies depending on how many cells have undergone a cellular transformation. However, the increased risk of esophageal cancer with this condition is of greater concern.
An additional sign of Barrett’s esophagus is chest pain, vomiting blood, having trouble swallowing, and passing sticky, red, or black stools.
Your doctor will do a biopsy, which entails extracting a tissue sample from your throat, to diagnose Barrett’s esophagus. The degree of your cells’ damage will subsequently be used by the doctor to determine your condition. Treatment choices often emphasize dietary adjustments and weight management, but if your illness is more severe, you might require extra therapies.
Physical tears
Vomiting is a powerful and intense act. Vomiting harm is a result of several factors, including this force in addition to stomach acids.
Your digestive system’s many components are involved in vomiting. These organs constrict and create negative pressure when you vomit, which might result in esophageal tears or physical injuries. Vomiting can create a few different kinds of physical tears, depending on the exact place and cause. Here are two of them:
- Boerhaave disease. According to this 2021 study, this happens when increased pressure on the esophagus, typically brought on by vomiting, results in the esophagus rupturing. Also known as esophageal perforation. This is a medical emergency that has to be treated right away. Subcutaneous emphysema has symptoms that include vomiting, chest pain, and bubbling or air under the skin.
- The Mallory-Weiss condition. According to a 2021 study, severe vomiting can result in the tears that characterize Mallory-Weiss syndrome, which is comparable to an esophageal rupture. The esophagus is damaged by the increased pressure, although tears rather than a complete rupture result. While bleeding from these tears might stop on its own, it might potentially need immediate attention or repair.
How to deal with a sore throat caused by vomiting
Unless it’s connected to a more serious underlying issue, a sore throat is typically more of an inconvenience or pain than a medical problem. Depending on the cause, you might attempt a range of treatments for sore throats.
Natural solutions
Whether heartburn, gastric reflux, or other diseases are to blame for your sore throat, you can try these calming, natural remedies at home to help you feel better. These consist of gargling with honey, lemon, and warm salt water, warm beverages or teas, and increasing your fluid intake.
Nonprescription (OTC) medication
You might be able to try certain over-the-counter (OTC) drugs to relieve your pain if natural solutions aren’t working. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications are a few of these (NSAIDs) Also phenol aerosols
Ask your doctor about the risks of using some painkillers, such as ibuprofen, if you have a stomach ulcer or another ailment that is causing reflux and a sore throat. Several over-the-counter antacids may help to lessen throat pain brought on by heartburn and reflux.
Prescription drugs and medical care
You may be given medicine to control your vomiting, manage acid reflux (if a more serious condition is causing your throat pain or vomiting), and reduce the pain. If you require surgery to fix the tear or other damage from vomiting, it may be painful. If reflux, vomiting, and sore throat are being caused by backflow from a malfunctioning valve, you may occasionally need surgery to correct the valve in your stomach.
If natural and over-the-counter remedies don’t relieve your sore throat, consult your doctor.
How to avoid throat pain brought on by vomiting
Sometimes it is impossible to avoid the issues that cause vomiting and the subsequent sore throat. It is impossible to avoid conditions like having cancer and needing treatment or having stomach valves that are defective from birth.
However, you can avoid circumstances that cause vomiting, GERD, acid reflux, and esophageal pain from physical trauma or acid reflux. Managing your weight and avoiding spicy meals are two lifestyle adjustments that can be beneficial. Limiting alcohol consumption, avoiding lying down immediately after eating, and getting help for eating disorders are all ways to improve your health.
When do I go see a doctor?
You may have previously changed your lifestyle and tried over-the-counter (OTC) or natural remedies. After vomiting, if your throat pain persists, see a doctor to see if there is another persistent condition that may be to blame.
In conclusion
If you suffer throat pain along with any of the following symptoms, call 911 or visit the local emergency room.
Vomiting requires a lot of physical and chemical energy. A sore throat and more serious injury might result from the force and acids that flow through your throat when you vomit.
Consult a medical practitioner if you experience persistent soreness in your throat after vomiting in order to rule out any dangerous complications or chronic diseases.
After brief vomiting episodes, natural therapies can provide temporary relief for a sore throat; but, if these issues persist, see a doctor.